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Monday, January 7, 2019

Link Between College Binge Drinking and Social Media Addiction

A new study found a link between binge drinking and social media addiction among college students. For the study, published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, researchers recruited more than 400 undergraduate students, ages 18 to 25, and asked about both binge drinking (defined as five drinks at a time for males and four for women) and the use of social media (including Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter).

Student binge drinkers were more likely to post on social media platforms and on more social media platforms (most frequently on Snapchat and Facebook) while intoxicated than non-binge drinkers. What’s more, binge drinkers showed a greater emotional investment toward social media, which is common among those with an addiction.

“These findings suggest that, in terms of common brain reward mechanisms, perhaps when students get a positive response on social media, this might be ‘rewarding’ to them in a way that is similar to other addictive behaviors, and then over time they get hooked,” lead researcher Natalie A. Ceballas, PhD, of the Department of Psychology at Texas State University in San Marcos, told reporters.

Binge drinking and social media addiction can be a dangerous duo. Beyond the dangers of binge drinking – including an increased risk of injury, suicide, sexual assault, high blood pressure, heart attack, inflammation of the stomach, pancreas, brain, or spinal cord, sexually transmitted infections and memory and learning problems – this behavior can jeopardize a person’s ability to get into college or get a job.

The good news: A reliance on social media may also present an opportunity for innovative interventions, said researchers.

Getting Help for Alcohol Abuse
Binge drinking in adolescence can increase your risk of developing an alcohol use disorder later in life. If you or someone you love has a drinking problem, Hope Academy can help you get the help you need today. To learn more about our young adult alcohol rehab, call toll-free today: 866-930-4673.